Corey Anderson asked UFC for release, signs with Bellator
Corey Anderson has a new home.
The light-heavyweight winner of season 19 of “The Ultimate Fighter” is headed to Bellator.
First reported by ESPN, Anderson, who was not a free agent and ranked fourth in the UFC’s 205-pound division, was granted his request to be released from the promotion.
According to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, Anderson signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator.
Anderson is coming off a first-round knockout loss to Jan Blachowicz at UFCon ESPN+ 25 this past February. It ended a four-fight win streak for the 30-year-old, including wins over Johnny Walker, Ilir Latifi, Glover Teixeira and Patrick Cummins.
In 2013, Corey Anderson won all three of his TUF 19 bouts by decision. He followed up with a first-round TKO against Matt Van Buren on TUF 19 Finale in July 2014. He finished 10-5 after a six-year run inside the octagon.
Bellator is yet to make an announcement, but Anderson will most likely be right in the mix of the the promotion’s light-heavyweight division. Current 205-pound champion Ryan Bader is set to defend his belt against Vadim Nemkov at Bellator 244 on Aug. 21.
